Estd. Year 1923

Year 8 Issue 4

Managing Editor : Jayant Murlidhar Sasane Editor : KishoreRamrao More

English Section*Teachings of Baba to reach across the world ! 13

*O Sadguru Sai !... I eternally kiss Your Used and Blessed Padukas ! … Dr.Subodh Agarwal

16

*E x p e r i e n c e s o f S a i M a h a r a j 21*Is Baba Living & Helping Now ? … Jyoti Ranjan Raut 22*In Sai’s Proximity - Nanasaheb Chandorkar … Mrs. Mugdha Divadkar 24

SHREE SAI BABA SANSTHAN TRUST (SHIRDI)

Management Committee

Shri Jayant Murlidhar Sasane

Chairman

Shri Shankarrao Genuji Kolhe

Vice-chairmanShri Radhakrishna Eknath Vikhe Patil (Member)Shri Pandurang Gamaji Abhang (Member)Shri Suresh Gorakshanath Wabale (Member)Smt. Urmila Pradeep Jadhav (Member)Shri Shailesh Shrihari Kute (Member)Shri Sami Khatib (Member)Smt. Rimple Lohia (Member)Dr. Eknath Bhagchand Gondkar (Member)Shri Ramakant Ganesh Karnik (Member)Capt. Suresh Vasudeva (Member)Shri Ashok Bhimashankar Khambekar (Member)Shri Krishnachandra Shyamsunder Pandeya (Member)Dr. Pyarelal Tiwari (Member)Smt. Jayashri Vishnu Thorat (Member)

Shri Kishore Ramrao More (Executive Officer)l Cover pages designed by V. Karthik l Computerised Typesetting : Computer Section, Mumbai Office, Shree Sai BabaSansthan Trust (Shirdi) l Office : ‘Sai Niketan’, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014. Tel. : 2416 6556 Fax :(022) 2415 0798 E-mail : saidadar@bom3.vsnl.net.in l Shirdi Office : At Post Shirdi - 423 109, Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahmednagar.Tel. : (02423) 258500 Fax : (02423) 258770 E-mail : saibaba_anr@sancharnet.in l Annual Subscription : Rs. 50/- lSubscription for Life : Rs. 1000/- l Annual Subscription for Foreign Subscribers : Rs. 1000/- (All the Subscriptions areInclusive of Postage) l General Issue : Rs. 8/- l Shri Sai Punyatithi Special Issue : Rs. 15/- l Published by Kishore More,on behalf of Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) at Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014 andprinted by him at Mother’s Graphics (I) Pvt. Ltd., 91 D, Government Industrial Estate, Opposite Sahyadri Nagar, Kandivali (W),

Mumbai - 400 014. The Editor does not accept responsibility for the views expressed in the articles published. All objections,disputes, differences, claims and proceedings are subject to Mumbai jurisdiction.

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Teachings of Babato reach

across the world !Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (SSBST), Shirdi has commenced a training

programme for Poojaris from Shri Sai temples across the

nation, where they are being inducted into the nuances of the rituals followed atShirdi Sai Baba temple. This will result in the devotees feeling as if they are atShirdi !

Shri Jayant Sasane, Chairman of SSBST also informed that SSBST hasundertaken the pious work of ceremoniously taking Baba’s Padukas to various places, therebyfulfilling the ardent desire of devotees who can’t visit Shirdi. When the devotees come to takeDarshan of the Padukas they will also be made available to several publications of SSBST.

There are plans to translate the publications of Sansthan in several languages for the benefitof devotees. Thus, Baba’s teachings will reach the world to quench the spiritual thirst of thedevotees, stated Shri Sasane.

Shri Sasane is also a renowned legislator from Shrirampur (Maharashtra),and is completing his five years term as the Chairman of SSBST. In an exclusiveinterview to ‘Shri Sai Leela’ magazine he recounted how Baba has guided himevery step of the way.

When queried if he was satisfied with the work he did as the Chairman, hesaid, “The person who thinks of his work as duty, will never be satisfied; for me myduty is supreme and I have given myself totally to it. Moreover, as a Chairman ofsuch a big organization in India, I cannot afford to become complacent. I will keepon serving this organization to the best of my ability in the times to come too.”

There are plans for a permanent exhibition on the life and teachings of Baba,which a devotee could glimpse while waiting on the return journey from Shirdi,after he has already visited all the pious places like Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai,Chavdi, Gurusthan, etc. Answering on this issue, Shri Sasane said, “The projectfor a laser show on Sai Baba’s life and teachings will commence at the end of theyear. The approximate cost of the show will be Rs. 60 crores.”

As the popularity of Baba is spreading, devotees are thronging to Shirdi inthousands, which at times creates chaos and discomfort; but while dealing withsuch concerns Shri Sasane said, “We have constantly upgraded the services likewater and food provision, maintaining hygiene, etc. Five years ago we hadDarshan lines to accommodate 20,000 devotees. We have again enhanced thecapacity to accommodate 20,000 more devotees. But, as the number of devoteesis on the rise, we are demolishing the old administrative building of the Prasadalyaand creating Shiv Complex, where we could accommodate 50,000 devotees forDarshan. We are constantly working on improving services for the comfort of thedevotees who visit Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan.”

“Another major development underway is to connect all the roads from allsides to reach Shirdi, thereby making it more accessible to devotees. In one andhalf years time, Shirdi will also be accessible through airplanes; thus ensuring thatthe devotees can comfortably reach Shirdi. I and all the trustees have constantlyworked in tandem to provide the best of services to the community,” he added.

When queried, which is the most important teaching of Baba that he wastouched by ? He said, “Baba’s teaching of ‘Shraddha’ and ‘Saburi’ has been thepillar of support in my personal, political and social life. This teaching gave me thestrength to forebear whenever things didn’t go my way. My surrender to Baba andcommitment to work has helped me enjoy success both in politics and in sociallife.’’

When enquired about the experiences that he had during his tenure as theChairman, he said, “I have come across several extraordinary experiences duringthe tenure. One of them being the golden throne for Baba, at one point of timethere was controversy around it from a section of people; but when I look backtoday I realize that the desires of many devotees to see Baba on a golden thronehas finally materialized. In Shri Sai Satcharita in Chapter 45, a devotee by thename Anandrao Pakhade has a vision, where he sees Baba sitting on a goldenthrone, which is studded with precious stones. Today, it seems as if that vision,which Baba had showed Anandrao, has manifested !”

Replying to why Baba’s Padukas are being taken to various places, ShriSasane informed that this will benefit devotees who can’t travel to Shirdi, besides,working to unite communities. There is also a plan to organize Sai Bhajans atvarious places where Baba’s Padukas will go, thus, drenching the region with Saibliss.

While answering to the query on the utilization of funds Shri Sasane said,“The funds come from Sai devotees and some of it is being utilized for providingmedical and other services. Time and again, whenever a project is taken up to beexecuted by the Sansthan, a proper planning is done, so that the funds areoptimally utilized.”

He informed that currently ‘Saileela’ magazine comes in Marathi and ‘Shri SaiLeela’ magazine comes in dual languages English- Hindi, and there are plansafoot to bring out the magazines in several Indian languages so as to reachBaba’s teachings to more people.

He added that the first managing trustees body was appointed by thegovernment in 2004, as the time went by it became evident that in years to comethe number of devotees thronging to Shirdi was on an ever-rise and this hasresulted in the committee working to provide better and better services year afteryear. The devotees, the residents of Shirdi and the working force have co-operated the committee, which I expect will be so in the future.

– Penned by

Shamshaad Ali Baig

E-mail : shamshaadbaig@gmail.com

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The collyrium from one who has attained command over charms and spells shows the wealth thatis buried under the earth to the one who is born with legs foremost (Payalu). Similarly, the dustfrom the Guru’s Feet gives the spiritual knowledge and scientific knowledge. (Shri Sai Sat Charita,Chapter 37, Verse 80)

Blessed is the marvel of the stories of Sai ! Twice blessed are the effects of listening to them. Onecan experience one’s Real Self by meditation on them, which increases our devotion at Sai’s Feet.(Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 37, Verse 115)

Where those who are rich with knowledge are deceived, there the devotees can withstand Maya,because they are always surrendered at the Feet of the Lord, whereas the knowledgeable areproud of their knowledge. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 39, Verse 81)

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O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally lick the Big Toes of Your LotusFeet…

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally kiss Your Used and BlessedPadukas…

(Contd. from the last issue)

O Sadguru Sai ! Now I bow down to eternally kiss Your Padukas (footwear) – both,the ‘Used’ and the ‘Blessed’ ones. ‘Padukas’ may be a pair of shoes or a pair ofcarved ‘footprints’.

O Baba ! By the ‘Used Padukas’, I mean those sacred leather slippers (footwear) onwhich Your Lotus Feet rested. Your Lotus Feet are supposed once to have trodden onthe holy soil of Shirdi (http://www.saiananta.com/articles_given_1.html), and in theprocess, these ‘Padukas’ are all covered with the holy dust. O my Lord ! Let me kissthe Holy Sole of these ‘Padukas’ with my unholy lips once again to quench the thirstof my longing soul -

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally kiss Your Used and Blessed Padukas…

O Baba ! ‘Sai Museum’ in Shirdi is a rich repository of all things associated withYou. Kept under the maintenance of ‘Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust’, the Museumhas some of Your most intimate and personal belongings, including the three pairs ofthe ‘Padukas’ worn by You. Devotees from across the world visit this Museum. Your‘Padukas’ (leather footwear) are occasionally kept for Darshan in Samadhi Mandirat Shirdi. O Sai ! On one such occasion, it was gratifying to me to have theopportunity to kiss the sole of these slippers to the envy of all my fellow-devoteesflocking around Your Samadhi at that moment of time. The kiss provided me with

the same thrill of rapture that Hemadpant had experienced after he drank the butter-milk offered to him by Your Divine Hands. (Shri Sai Satcharita, Chapter 38)

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally lick the Big Toes of Your Lotus Feet…

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally kiss Your Used and Blessed Padukas…

O Baba ! By the ‘Blessed Padukas’, I mean those sacred ‘Padukas’ that aresanctified with the celestial touch either by Your Holy Hands or Your Big Toes, butnot actually used by You to give rest to Your Lotus Feet.

In 1913, one of Your devotees Atmaram Haribhau Chaubal, went to Shirdi for YourDarshan. He had with him a pair of silver ‘Padukas’ that he got specially minted inMumbai. You took these ‘Padukas’ in Your hands and remarked “How beautiful !”.Then You inserted Your two Big Toes in these ‘Padukas’. At that moment of timeYou appeared to have been greatly ecstatic and said, “How nice they look ! Takethem and keep them in your Pooja room and regularly worship them.” Accordingly,Atmaram installed these ‘Padukas’ on a low wooden stool in his Pooja room. He feltgreat poise within himself that he was worshipping the ‘Padukas’ quite satisfactorilyaccording to the promise given to You. In 1930, one day he got up early to haveDarshan of the ‘Padukas’. To his great dismay, he found one of the ‘Padukas’ wasmissing. He searched under the stool and everywhere in the Pooja room; but all invain. It deeply disturbed him. However, he continued the worship of the other‘Paduka’. Much to his shock, the other ‘Paduka’ was also found missing a couple ofmonths later. Now Atmaram went to Mumbai to have a replacement; but failed toarrange one. Although he returned home and tried his best to contend himself withjust the worship of Your photo. Atmaram constantly remained uneasy for having lostthe ‘Padukas’, so fondly sanctified by the touch of the Big Toes of Your Lotus Feet.O Baba ! Thy ways are indeed inscrutable… One fine morning when Atmaramentered the Pooja room for the daily worship, he could not believe himself. Lo ! Hefound the missing ‘Padukas’ neatly placed under the wooden stool, as if they werealways there !

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally kiss Your Used and Blessed Padukas…

O Baba ! May I humbly request You to recall that once Kakasaheb Dixit wanted tokeep Your ‘Padukas’ in his Dev Ghar ? He, therefore, got one pair of ‘Padukas’carved out of Shisham wood, and requested You to touch that pair and give it back tohim after infusing Your blessings in it. O Sadguru ! You did as per Your devotee’swishes. Moreover, O Sai ! You also gave Kakasaheb Dixit a set of miniature silver‘Padukas’ kept in a small silver Dabbi (casket) which had the carving of LordHanuman’s image on the cover top. As per Your instructions, Kaka used to alwayscarry these ‘Padukas’ in his pocket. These wooden and silver ‘Padukas’ are stillwith the ‘Kakasaheb Dixit Trust’.

O Baba ! Dwarkamai is a mosque where You spent about 60 years of Your life inShirdi. In Dwarkamai alone, there are five sets of ‘Padukas’, symbolizing andsignifying Your presence. In front of the portrait is a pair of silver ‘Padukas’.

Just behind the cooking area, in the Masjid, is the place where You would stand,usually before going to Lendi, leaning against the mud wall. You would call out tovillagers in a friendly way - “How are you ?” “How’s the crop coming along ?”“How are your children doing ?” Following Your Mahasamadhi, a pair of ‘Padukas’was installed in this spot and a small shrine placed over them. In the wall above is asmaller set of ‘Padukas’ where You are said to have leaned Your arm.

O Sai ! Near the Dhuni, where You used to sit, yet another set of ‘Padukas’ isinstalled. The fifth pair of silver ‘Padukas’ adorns the black stone kept at the rightside of the entrance of the Dwarkamai.

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally lick the Big Toes of Your Lotus Feet…

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally kiss Your Used and Blessed Padukas…

O Baba ! You first manifested Yourself, for the sake of Your Bhaktas, under theNeem tree as a young lad of sixteen. In commemoration of Your first visit to Shirdi,devotees installed ‘Padukas’ there. The ‘Padukas’ were brought in a solemnceremony, with musical instruments playing, on the full moon day in the month of Shravan in 1912. On that day, at 11 00 a. m., Shri G. K. Dixit (not to be confusedwith H. S. ‘Kakasaheb’ Dixit) carried the ‘Padukas’ on his head from Khandobatemple to Dwarkamai before their installation. You blessed the ‘Padukas’ with thewords - “These are the Lotus Feet of the Lord”. The Sai Mahima written byUpasani Baba was also carved there :-

“Sada Nimbavrikshasya mooladhivasat,

Sudhastravinam tiktamapya-priyam tam,

Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam

Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham”

(“I bow to Lord Sainath, Who by His constant stay at thefoot of the Neem tree – which although bitter and

unpleasant, was yet oozing nectar – made it better thanthe wish-fulfilling tree. I bow to Lord Sainath, Who

always takes delight in resting under the Neem tree andbestowing material and spiritual prosperity upon His

devotees who lovingly attend on Him.”)

The above ‘Padukas’ were broken with a huge stone within a few months after theirinstallation by one Martand, a whimsical Brahmin. O Baba ! Your devotees weregreatly distressed. They, believing it augured ill, asked You, whether new ‘Padukas’should be installed in place of the broken ones. O Sai ! You, however, took the mattercasually and told them simply to repair the cracks with cement and undertake a poor-feeding. Accordingly, about two to three hundred people were fed as a part of theShanti ceremony. In fact, the broken ‘Padukas’ were later replaced and the originalsare said to be in the pedestal underneath.

O Sai, Please raise those original ‘Padukas’ above the pedestal and let me apply thecement of my Bhakti to heal the cracks !

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally lick the Big Toes of Your Lotus Feet…

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally kiss Your Used and Blessed Padukas…

O Sai ! These days Your ‘Padukas’ are being carried all across the country. In fact,the ‘Padukas’ are brought out of the state of Maharashtra 90 years after You gained‘Samadhi’ in 1918. Devotees consider themselves fortunate enough to have theglimpse of the ‘Padukas’, which are one amongst the three pairs worn by You.Undoubtedly, Your ‘Padukas’ are the ones which support and sustain the welfare ofthe three worlds.

O Sadguru Sai !

I earnestly invite my fellow-devotees to join me when -

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally lick the Big Toes of Your Lotus Feet…

O Sadguru Sai !

I eternally kiss Your Used and Blessed Padukas…

- Dr. Subodh Agarwal‘Shirdi Sai Dham’,

29, Tilak Road,Dehra Dun - 248 001

(Uttarakhand).Mobile : 09897202810; Fax : 01352622810

E-mail : subodhagarwal27@gmail.com

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FOLLOWING DEVOTEES ARE HONOURED WITH

SAIBHAKTIPRASARBHUSHANa Shri Devnathrao Sadashivrao Charjan Karajgaon (Bahiram), Tal. Chandur Bazar,

Dist. Amaravati, Maharashtra State. 64 Annual Members

a Shri Santosh Devnathrao Charjan Paratwada, Tal. Achalpur, Dist. Amaravati, MaharashtraState.

64 Annual Members + 1 Life Member

a Dr. Yogesh Devnathrao Charjan Paratwada, Tal. Achalpur, Dist. Amaravati,Maharashtra State. 72 Annual Members

Therefore, to overcome Maya, take refuge at the Sadguru’s Feet and wholeheartedly surrender to him. The fear of the worldly existence disappearsimmediately. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 39, Verse 82)

Always practise truth; listen to the stories about the saints; bow down at theFeet of the saints. Sins will be washed away. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 18, Verse 26)

Therefore, knowledge is not possible to be obtained without a Guru. All thelearned men are aware of this that the capable Feet of the Guru can solve themystery of the Brahman and the Atman. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 17, Verse 140)

Whatever be the condition, good or bad, the body must do its duties as destined.But, introvert your senses towards the Guru’s Feet with all the love. (Shri Sai SatCharita, Chapter 41, Verse 13)

But he, who is devoutedly attached to a saint’s Feet and who has the purpose ofDarshan in his mind, then the saint and even God fulfils his desire. (Shri Sai SatCharita, Chapter 30, Verse 45)

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E x p e r i e n c e s o fS a i M a h a r a j

Experiences recorded by late hon. Hari Sitaram Dixit :-

(3)

Once, when Sai Maharaj was having His food, a dog put his mouth in a mug ofbuttermilk. Fakir Baba, who happened to be nearby noticed this and asked a boy to throw thebuttermilk away. As he was about to do so, Sai asked, “What is it ?” When Fakir Babanarrated, what had happened, Sai said, “Bapu, the buttermilk is good. Take it home and make‘Kadhi’. We shall eat it.” Of course, Fakir Baba followed His instructions and later Sai atethe Kadhi.

(4)

Bapuji Shastri Gulavi arrived for Baba’s Darshan in February 1918. He had broughtholy water from the Ganga, with which Abhishek for Baba was duly performed.

After the ritual, Shastriji asked for permission to go to Sajjangad for Ramdas Navami.Sai blessed him and said, “I am there as I am here.” Shastriji went to Sajjangad. There, onRamdas Navami day, at 5.00 am in the morning, Baba gave Darshan to Shastriji and even lethim press His (Baba’s) feet. Then He disappeared in thin air.

(5)

When Rao Bahadur Sathe’s Wada was under construction, they thought a tree might beobtruding and asked Baba’s permission to cut it. Baba said, “Why should we cut the tree ?”Later, when a major portion of the building was complete, a part of the tree was obtrudingand so Baba was asked again. He said, “If it is jutting out, cut off only that part which iscoming in the way”.

(6)

A devotee of Sai was burdened with debt. The money-lender had brought an injunctionagainst him.

The devotee had no money at that time, but he had property. But, the money-lender wasunwilling to wait.

At that time some devotees decided to carry out a Naam Saptaha in front of Sai’s photo.The devotee agreed happily. The money-lender took this opportunity to send a bailiff to his

home with a warrant for possession. The Naam Saptaha was on. The devotee went to themoney-lender and said, “Okay. Take whatever you want. It is Lord Sai’s will to empty theplace for our celebration. Whatever happens is according to Sai Baba’s wishes.’’ The money-lender had a change of heart when he heard this and he cancelled the warrant and neverenforced it again.

Shri Sai Leela, Year I, Paush Shaké 1845 / Vol. V Translated into English by

Jyoti Ranjan Raut

8/A Kakad Estate, 106 Sea Face Road, Worli, Mumbai - 400 018.

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Attaining the Feet of the Guru is greater than attaining salvation which is thehighest goal of life. Drinking the Tirth of such a Guru will bring salvationimperceptibly. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 45, Verse 2)

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IS BABA LIVING AND HELPING NOW ?Compiled by : Jyoti Ranjan Raut

How Sai Baba Blessed Me...I passed the old SSC exam in 1974-75. As my parents wished me to work, I took up a

job at a petrol pump in Dhule. Unfortunately, one day a driver deceived me and I lost my job.

Meanwhile, I received a calendar with Sai’s picture on it in a shop. I liked it and took ithome. Thus Sai Baba entered our house. I became a Sai devotee since that day and willremain one till my death.

After I lost my job, I was jobless for five to six years. I kept praying to Baba for a goodjob and promised to keep serving Him and chanting His name. Baba fulfilled my wish and Igot a job in the Public Works Department as an assistant to the Civil Engineer in Shahapur inNovember 1981.

Today I am working as an assistant to the Civil Engineer in Dhule and have completed27 years of service. By the Grace of Sai, I have one daughter who is married and two sonsstudying engineering. I have had a happy family life, thanks to Sai’s Blessings.

– P. B. Patil87, Sai Nivas, Ganesh Colony,

Sakri Road, Dhule.

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How dogs bark at theFinal call of every Aarati !...

Sai Baba’s Leelas are infinite. He has not only helped in the upliftment of humans butalso of animals and birds. We read this in the literature on Sai. When Sai was in the livingbody, many animals used to collect around Him. Baba fed them with love and compassion.The animals too listened to His orders. Hemadpant has mentioned in the Shri Sai Satcharitahow Baba brought food and kept it in a pot in the Masjid. The cats, dogs and crows ate fromit; but Baba never shooed them away. When Babasaheb Tarkhad wondered if Baba Himselfcame in the guise of various animals, Baba said, ‘‘Sometimes a dog, sometimes a pig,sometimes a cow or a cat, ant, fly or marine animal, I move in various forms.” This is trueeven after Baba has taken Samadhi.

People of MIG Colony, Gandhi Nagar, Bandra (East), Mumbai, have been experiencingthis wonder for years. More than a decade ago, first a female and then a male dog soughtrefuge in the premises of the Sai Temple opposite the MIG Club, and stayed for ever. Peoplecalled them Rani and Raja. The temple committee fed them every day.

The story of Rani is touching. She never left the premises and always sat on the topmoststep of the temple. She never tried to enter the temple, but took Baba’s Darshan from herposition. Before dying, her movements were unforgettable. It was a Thursday. Shecircumambulated the temple eleven times and for the first time she entered the temple andcircumambulated the inner sanctum three times. She stepped out of the temple, descendedthe steps, went to a corner in front of the temple and breathed her last.

After some days another female dog came to stay in the premises. She too was namedRani in memory of the earlier one. Raja died in an accident. Subsequently two more dogsjoined Rani.

In the temple, Dhoop Aarati takes place everyday and Kakad Aarati – MadhyanhaAarati - Dhoop Aarati are held during the Festivals. Every time ‘‘Anant koti BrahmandNayak Rajadhiraj Yogiraj Parabrahma Shri Sachchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj kiJai’’ is chanted after the Aarati is over, the dogs arrive from wherever they are and startbarking loudly !

Till today, they have never hurt anyone. They accept the Prasad given by the devoteesafter the Aarati with great joy.

– Maruti Laxman Kadam

Temple Attendant

Then, with excellent experience, observe how the Guru takes care of the welfare of hisdevotee, ceaselessly, with love for the Guru in your heart. (Shri Sai Sat Charita,

Chapter 41, Verse 14)

Controlling the mind utterly, root out the intellect. Try to become totally detached andcontinue to gaze at the Feet of the Guru. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 32, Verse 34)

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In Sai’s Proximity– Mrs. Mugdha Divadkar NANASAHEB CHANDORKAR

YATRA to HARISCHANDRAGAD

This an event which took place during the early days - when Nanasaheb was the secretaryof the collector for Nagar district. He planned a trip to Harishchandragad along with hiscolleagues from his office. It was summer and they were going to find it difficult to climb themountain. Amongst the colleagues, there was Khirvandikar – a very polite person, but also veryforthright in what he said. He said, “Nanasaheb, please excuse my saying so ! But, these are thedays of summer. The path to Harishchandragad is steep and difficult. On the way, not a drop ofwater will be available. Therefore, I suggest that the programmme be postponed for the timebeing.”

But, Nanasaheb was not convinced by, what he was told and decided to go ahead with theplan. On the appointed day, they began climbing the mountain. The group somehow managed tocomplete half the journey. But, Nanasaheb was restless because of thirst. He said toKhirvandikar, “Do something, but give me some water to drink ! Without that, I would not beable to take even a single step ahead.” Saying this, he almost gave up and sat down on a boulder.Khirvandikar took a look around. But, there was no trace of water around. He also could not spotany human being, who could have guided them in finding water. Nanasaheb was very adamant –he did not wish to give up the remaining journey nor was he is position to take even oneadditional step to complete it.

Nanasaheb began reciting Baba’s name. Suddenly, he spotted a Bhilla carrying a load offirewood on his head. Nanasaheb pleaded with him to give him some water. “Can I get somewater from nearby ?” The Bhilla replied, “Oh, there is water below the rock on which you aresitting !” People from the group moved the rock and found that there was water steaming underit. The water was clean, cold and sweet and sufficient to satisfy everyone’s thirst. Now theybegan searching for the Bhilla to thank him. But, he was nowhere to be seen and had quietlydisappeared. Seeing this, Nanasaheb said, “See this miracle of my Baba. Did He not provide mewater, where I was sitting ? I was not required to go anywhere for it.” Everyone was a witness tothis miracle.

At exactly the same time, in Shirdi, Baba had grown uneasy. He started telling the devotees,who had gathered around Him “Nana is restless. My Nana is tired because of thirst. Someonemust give him water.” The devotees were unable to understand the meaning of Baba’s utterances.Some of them even thought that Nanasaheb’s life was in danger. A few days later, Nanasahebcame to Shirdi as per his usual practice. Baba immediately enquired, “Nana, did you get water ?”Nanasaheb was moved with this and tears of joy started streaming through his eyes. Thosepresent now, understood the meaning of Bab’s earlier utterances.

EXPERIENCE of PADMALAYA

In East Khandesh, around 8-10 miles from Pachora, there is a beautiful place called‘Padmalaya’ on a hillock near Erandole. It is one of the places of Maha Ganapati !

A Brahmin Sat Purush by the name Govindbua single handedly restored and reerected theGanpati temple. A trader of cotton donated some money to Govindbua for the restoration. Theamount was spent on the foundation of the temple building. Govindbua personally supervised allaspects of the restoration – right from supervising the work of labourers to making the Kalas. TheKalas weighs around 100 Tolas. But, personally visited Mumbai and got it made.

People said that there was no dearth of money for Bua and under his mattress there wasalways sufficient money. He always looked after the needs of his guests. But, for himself, only aglass of milk twice a days was sufficient. In this manner, Bua did a kind of Tapascharya andsuccessfully restored the temple.

At that time, Nanasaheb had become a Mamledar of one of the talukas in Khandesh. He gotan urge to visit the temple and take the Ganapati Darshan.

As planned, Nanasaheb and his group embarked on the journey to the temple. They hadeven hired a Tanga to collect them from the railway station. However, it so happened that thetrain got delayed, Tangewala waited for this group and ultimately went away.

There was no other alternative, but to walk to the temple. The road was in a bad conditionand Nanasaheb was not used to walking a distance of 8-10 miles. There was another seriousdifficulty. If they resorted to walking, by the time they reach the temple, it would be past 10 pmand Bua would have proceeded to his Mathee after completing his Pooja etc. Thus, no foodwould be available when they reach the temple.

The party ultimately proceeded to the temple. They managed to walk for sometime, tooksome rest and then proceeded further. Nanasaheb was extremely tired. He started praying toBaba. He said, “Baba, I am exhausted. By the time we manage to reach the temple, no foodwould be available for us. I crave for at least a cup of tea !”

When the group reached the temple, it was really past 10 pm. Their surprise had no limitswhen they saw Govindbua. He was welcoming them and in his hand, there was a vesselcontaining hot tea. Govindbua said “Welcome Nanasaheb !” Nana enquired, “Bua, I am surprisedto see you at this late hour in the temple.” Govindbua replied, “I got a wireless message from SaiBaba. He said ‘My Nana and others are coming. They have walked quite a distance andextremely tired. Make tea in a large vessel !’ And here I am waiting for you with tea.”

Sun Eclipse

On the day of Sun eclipse, Nanasaheb and his family members were in Shirdi. With Baba’spermission, they went to Kopargaon to take bath in the holy river of Godavari. While taking bath,a person approached them and asked for donation (Daan). Nanasaheb gave him two coins.

At that time in Shirdi, Baba showed two similar coins to Nandram Marwadi and said, “See.These were given to me by Nana.”

DARSHAN of BANNUMAI

Nanasaheb was basically pious by nature and in Baba’s company, he became more so.Because of this he craved more and more for the Darshan of various Sadhu - Sant.

This is an incident, which took place when Nanasaheb was the secretary of the collector ofNagar.

There was a Dnyani, Mahasadhvi, Mahavirakta Muslim virgin lady, who resided in villageBodhegaon in Nagar district. Her ways of living were not like those of a normal person. She hadmade her abode outside the village amongst bushes of Cactus and other thorny growths, such asBabhul. Sometimes she came to the village to see her mother. As quickly as she used to appear inthe village, she used to vanish with equal speed. She was not conscious whether she was wearingany clothes or not. Many times the villagers spotted her running helter skelter amongst wild treesand thorny bushes. She did not pay any attention to the wounds made by the thorns. Majority ofthe villagers considered her to be mad.

Nanasaheb heard stories about this lady and developed a strong urge to avail the Darshan ofthe Mahasadhvi. He conveyed his desire, explained the difficulties in fulfilling to Baba and asked

His permission. Baba said, “Nana, why do you crave for the Darshan of any other person now ?Don’t you have everything here itself ?”

But, Nanasaheb was adamant. Ultimately, Baba said, “Go ! You will have the Darshan.”Nanasaheb’s assistant Khirvandikar always accompanied him everywhere. Through him,Nanasaheb arranged to collect articles such as Pat (a wooden plank to be used for sitting),Rangoli, a Saree, Haldi - Kumkum, Mangalsutra and things required for taking bath. Both ofthem embarked on the journey to village Bodhegaon. First, on enquiring in the temple, they cameto know that Bannumai stayed in the jungle. Nanasaheb started searching for her there. Hispursuit went on for a long time and his body got pricked with thorns. Ultimately, he becamedisappointed and disheartened. He prayed to Baba and asked Him - “If I was not to get theDarshan, why did You deceive me that I will get it ? Now I have decided to be adamant. I willnot move from here till I get the Darshan.” Saying so, he opened his eyes and there stood beforehim Bannumai without any clothes on !

(contd.)

m m m

When the devotee is humbly surrendered at his Feet, the execution of hisauspicious work is accomplished without his knowledge. Inconceivable are thedeeds of the saints. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 40, Verse 104)

Those who are fed up with the worldly existence and have surrendered at theFeet of the Lord, the knots of their attachment are loosened and the hold ofignorance is removed. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 31, Verse 43)

For him who seeks the Feet of the Guru, there is not the slightest difficulty. Theprofound meaning reveals itself very naturally to him. (Shri Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 20,Verse 22)

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